What analysts are saying: Stratasys stays hot

J.P. Morgan analyst Paul Coster reiterated his “buy” rating on Stratasys in a research note published July 2. Coster wrote “SSYS is our preferred pick in the 3-D printing space.”

Coster predicts that the 3-D printing market will see compound annual growth of about 25 percent through 2015, followed by annual growth of 15 percent through 2020. Stratasys is expected to update its 2014 guidance when it reports second-quarter earnings Aug. 7. It should include the effects of two recent acquisitions.

“We believe SSYS is largely defining the market and, therefore, should grow with the market almost by definition,” Coster wrote.

Medtronic stock highest rated

Medtronic shareholders may be grumbling over the tax implications of the Covidien deal but the 24 analysts covering the Fridley-based company like the deal’s long-term promise. Analysts have made Medtronic the highest-rated Minnesota company, with 18 “buys” and six “holds.” Analysts rate two other health care stocks in Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group and St. Jude Medical, just behind Medtronic.

Recent upgrades

Recent Minnesota companies getting analyst upgrades include 3M Co. and TCF Financial Corp. Argus Research moved 3M to a “buy.” 3M’s stock rose little more than 3 percent this year, but the stock took off recently and was up 24.5 percent on an annualized basis in the second quarter. Bloomberg says 10 analysts have a “buy” on 3M, 11 have a “hold” and one a “sell.”

Raymond James analyst David Long upgraded TCF Financial to “market perform,” the equivalent of “hold,” from “underperform.” Analysts give TCF seven “buy,” 10 “hold” and four “sell” ratings, according to Bloomberg.